There are days where going to work feels like a drudgery. I never understood why being physically present is more important than getting things done. The pandemic proved that norm inherited from the Industrial Revolution wrong. I wish, however, that the changes in the norms of work would not limit to space (where you work), but also in time (when you work). Flow does not care about your 9-5 schedule.
Today is one of those days. I felt drained this morning. I did not want to go to work. Part of it is, I think, to avoid interacting with people that drain energy, which then has an effect on long-term well-being, which then impacts performance and ability to help others. So, I decided to take the morning off. Not to rest or do nothing, but to do house chores instead. I know, it is not a break, but it is something. I know the guilt will make me work over the weekend to catch up. And that should be normalized. What matters more is the value you create, not the hours you are in the office.
And we haven’t elaborated on the value of doing nothing. Creative ideas emerge from boredom. Sometimes doing nothing is the most productive thing you can do.